Mary Ellen Posthauer
RDN, CD, LD, FAND
Mary Ellen Posthauer is a registered dietitian and a consultant for MEP Healthcare Dietary Services, Inc. She provides consultation to nursing homes, assisted living facilities and hospice accounts. She is the past president of the National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel. Posthauer is on the editorial advisory board of Advances in Skin and Wound Care. She is the current co-chair of the NPUAP nutrition small group working on the 2014 guidelines update and the chair for the bariatrics small group developing guidelines. She is a graduate of Purdue University in West Lafayette, IN.
Posthauer has authored numerous articles and chapters on nutrition, including such published books as Nutritional Care for the Older Adult, published by American Dietetic Association; Wound Care, published by Aspen; and Wound Care Essentials; published by Lippencott. The 3rd editions of all three are currently in progress (the 3rd edition of Wound Care will be published by Lippencott).
She was chairman of the American Dietetic Association’s Unintentional Weight Loss (UWL) work group, which developed nutrition-related evidence-based guidelines for practice for the elderly. The guidelines were released in October 2009.
Posthauer received the American Dietetic Association’s Award of Excellence in Consultation and Private Practice and the Medallion Award, one of ADA’s highest honors. She was induced into the Hall of Fame, Department of Foods and Nutrition, at Purdue University in 2008.
by Mary Ellen Posthauer, RDN, CD, LD, FAND
The World Union Wound Healing Society (WUWHS) held their 2016 meeting in historic Florence, Italy in September. The initial meeting of the WUWHS was held in Australia in 2000 and is convened every four years. I have had the unique...
by Mary Ellen Posthauer RDN, CD, LD, FAND
by Mary Ellen Posthauer RDN, CD, LD, FAND
by Mary Ellen Posthauer RDN, CD, LD, FAND
Clinicians continue to question if oral or tube feedings formulated with arginine hasten wound healing time versus standard high calorie, high protein supplements. There is an increase in the number of studies that examine the role of...
by Mary Ellen Posthauer RDN, CD, LD, FAND
by Mary Ellen Posthauer RDN, CD, LD, FAND
by Mary Ellen Posthauer RDN, CD, LD, FAND
Several nutrients, such as arginine, zinc, vitamin A, vitamin E and vitamin C, play a key role in wound healing and preserving tissue viability. However, while current research doesn’t confirm consuming mega doses of any of these minerals...
by Mary Ellen Posthauer RDN, CD, LD, FAND
by Mary Ellen Posthauer RDN, CD, LD, FAND
The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics annually designates March as National Nutrition Month and the theme this...
by Mary Ellen Posthauer RDN, CD, LD, FAND
February is American Heart Month and Valentine’s Day is celebrated around the world on the 14th. So what is the connection between protecting your heart, enjoying candy and flowers with those you love on Valentine’s Day, and wound care?...
by Mary Ellen Posthauer RDN, CD, LD, FAND
Congratulations to Bruce Ruben, MD, for his #1 WoundSource blog for 2015; Wound Healing: Reasons Wounds Will Not Heal. I certainly concur with Dr....
by Mary Ellen Posthauer RDN, CD, LD, FAND
Last month I discussed the value of consuming a "balanced diet" versus taking mega doses of vitamins for wound healing. This month the focus is on minerals. Minerals are inorganic compounds that comprise 4% of body weight but are...
by Mary Ellen Posthauer RDN, CD, LD, FAND
As we appreciate the glorious fall foliage, the crisp sunny days and marvel at the vibrant chrysanthemums in rich jewel tones, we also enjoy hearty meals and soups that incorporate seasonal vegetables. Food is a common, universal topic...
by Mary Ellen Posthauer RDN, CD, LD, FAND
Despite all of the advances in risk assessment, prevention and treatment guidelines, support surfaces, nutritional products and vigorous educational efforts, pressure ulcers continue to be a major health care problem worldwide.
by Mary Ellen Posthauer RDN, CD, LD, FAND
by Mary Ellen Posthauer RDN, CD, LD, FAND
The "dogs days of summer" with temperatures approaching 90 and above plus high humidity levels remind us of the importance of hydration. While you are focusing on quenching your thirst, don't forget about your wound care clients.
by Mary Ellen Posthauer RDN, CD, LD, FAND
While the focus of nutrition interventions for wound healing involve the amount of protein, calories and beverages provided and consumed, we tend to forget the importance of good oral hygiene.
by Mary Ellen Posthauer RDN, CD, LD, FAND
by Mary Ellen Posthauer RDN, CD, LD, FAND
Recently there have been numerous articles and webinars focusing on the methods health care professional can employ to effectively communicate and engage in end of life conversations with patients receiving palliative and/or hospice care...
by Mary Ellen Posthauer RDN, CD, LD, FAND
As Lydia Meyers RN, MSN, CWCN emphasized in her recent blog “4 Common Bacteria that Cause Infections in...
by Mary Ellen Posthauer RDN, CD, LD, FAND
by Mary Ellen Posthauer RDN, CD, LD, FAND
I was fascinated by the incredible amount of money that was donated to various organizations on December 2nd – the day declared as a National Day of Giving. This movement started in 2012 by the 92nd Street Y and the United Nations...
by Mary Ellen Posthauer RDN, CD, LD, FAND
Despite all of the advances in risk assessment strategies, support surfaces, and vigorous educational efforts, pressure ulcers continue to be a major health care problem worldwide.
by Mary Ellen Posthauer RDN, CD, LD, FAND
For the past two years I have been involved in the research and development of the second edition of the Prevention and Treatment of Pressure Ulcers: Clinical Practice Guideline. Members of the Pan Pacific Pressure Injury...
by Mary Ellen Posthauer RDN, CD, LD, FAND
Last month, I discussed the results of the NPUAP's 2014 "Unavoidable Pressure Injury: State of the Science and Consensus Outcomes" conference and...
by Mary Ellen Posthauer RDN, CD, LD, FAND
In 2010, experts at a consensus conference convened by the National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel (NPUAP):
by Mary Ellen Posthauer RDN, CD, LD, FAND
During the past year, I have had the opportunity to collaborate with Dr. Steven Gale and a group of wound care specialists on the development of a standardized approach for treating chronic wounds, often considered the new global epidemic...
by Mary Ellen Posthauer RDN, CD, LD, FAND
by Mary Ellen Posthauer, RDN, CD, LD, FAND
by Mary Ellen Posthauer, RDN, CD, LD, FAND
by Mary Ellen Posthauer, RDN, CD, LD, FAND
As we watched the bright colored ball drop at midnight in Times Square and listened to John Lennon's classic song, "Imagine", we closed out the past year and now reflect on the future. What is your greater vision of how the world could...
by Mary Ellen Posthauer, RDN, CD, LD, FAND
Building on the evidence that I have reviewed in the past several blogs concerning diagnosing adult...
by Mary Ellen Posthauer, RDN, CD, LD, FAND
by Mary Ellen Posthauer RDN, CD, LD, FAND
by Mary Ellen Posthauer RDN, CD, LD, FAND
In last month's blog, I discussed recent research and publication of the consensus statement of the Academy of Nutrition and...
by Mary Ellen Posthauer RDN, CD, LD, FAND
by Mary Ellen Posthauer RDN, CD, LD, FAND
Part 3 in a series discussing nutritional status and diabetic foot ulcer risk.
To read Part 1, Click Here
To read Part 2,...
by Mary Ellen Posthauer, RDN, CD, LD, FAND
Part 2 in a series discussing nutritional status and diabetic foot ulcer risk.
To read Part 1,Click Here
by Mary Ellen Posthauer, RDN, CD, LD, FAND
After reading Laurie Swezey's blog, "Diabetic Foot - Risk Factors and Prevention", I decided to weigh in on the issue of poor glycemic control. Teamwork is an essential...
by Mary Ellen Posthauer RDN, CD, LD, FAND
As the ethnic diversity in the United States continues to increase, clinicians should understand how food, culture and religious practices impact the nutrition interventions we recommend. According to the Census Bureau in 2010 Hispanics...
by Mary Ellen Posthauer RDN, CD, LD, FAND
by Mary Ellen Posthauer RDN, CD, LD, FAND
by Mary Ellen Posthauer RDN, CD, LD, FAND
by Mary Ellen Posthauer RDN, CD, LD, FAND
by Mary Ellen Posthauer RDN, CD, LD, FAND
by Mary Ellen Posthauer RDN, CD, LD, FAND
by Mary Ellen Posthauer RDN, CD, LD, FAND
by Mary Ellen Posthauer RDN, CD, LD, FAND
"Our food should be our medicine and our medicine should be our food."
-Hippocrates
by Mary Ellen Posthauer RDN, CD, LD, FAND
My first year in practice, I volunteered with the local dietetic association when they launched “Dial a Dietitian”. The goal of the program was to capture the attention of the community and encourage people to phone a dietitian and seek...
by Mary Ellen Posthauer, RDN, CD, LD, FAND
by Mary Ellen Posthauer RDN, CD, LD, FAND
Food is a major part of our lives with strong emotional and symbolic implications that encompasses nurturing, cultural, religion, tradition and social values. Nutrition and hydration has an effective role in healing wounds, but cannot...
by Mary Ellen Posthauer RDN, CD, LD, FAND
One component of the nutritional assessment process in wound care is reviewing and evaluating biochemical data. In a...
by Mary Ellen Posthauer RDN, CD, LD, FAND
by Mary Ellen Posthauer RDN, CD, LD, FAND
Since undernutrition is considered a reversible risk factor for pressure ulcer development, then early detection and...
by Mary Ellen Posthauer RDN, CD, LD, FAND
In addition to providing calories and protein to promote wound healing, fluid intake is equally important. Achieving hydration needs and preventing dehydration, a risk factor for pressure ulcer development due to its effect on blood...
by Mary Ellen Posthauer RDN, CD, LD, FAND
by Mary Ellen Posthauer RDN, CD, LD, FAND
The protein in the food we eat supplies the body with the amino acids necessary to make its own protein. There are certain amino acids that the body cannot produce, and some that are unable to be made fast enough to meet the body’s needs...
by Mary Ellen Posthauer RDN, CD, LD, FAND
by Mary Ellen Posthauer RDN, CD, LD, FAND
Function/Recommended Dietary Allowance:
Zinc is an essential trace mineral for DNA synthesis, cell division, collagen formation, protein synthesis,...
by Mary Ellen Posthauer RDN, CD, LD, FAND
Metabolic Roles of Vitamin C
by Mary Ellen Posthauer RDN, CD, LD, FAND